A video circulating on social media during Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations has sparked concern after it appeared to show a child driving a car through heavy traffic.
The location where the clip was filmed could not be independently verified, however, the video is being widely shared online. However, a signboard visible in the video has led several users to speculate that it was filmed near the Faizabad area connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The video appears to show a young boy behind the wheel of a Suzuki Wagon R while two other children sit in the rear section of the vehicle with the trunk open.
The footage quickly drew negative reactions from social media users, many of whom questioned how the child was allowed to drive in a crowded area and called for action against the parents.
“Punjab Police should register an FIR against the parents,” one user wrote. “It’s very dangerous. Why didn’t the police stop the car? Why didn’t anyone from the public intervene instead of recording a video,” one person commented.
Several users expressed surprise at the child’s age. “How are his feet even reaching the accelerator,” one netizen asked. “What? He looks hardly six or seven,” another wrote.
Some accounts suggested that the children may have taken the car without their parents’ knowledge. “It seems like the kids sneaked out with the car and the parents didn’t know,” one comment read.
Others believed that the parents had allowed the children to go out during the Independence Day celebrations. “When parents take freedom too seriously,” one user remarked. “It looks like the sisters insisted on going out, so he brought them along,” another observed.
Some netizens focused on the two children sitting in the back of the vehicle. “He can’t even see what’s in front of him, while the children in the back are sitting there so comfortably,” one individual opined.
“The trust level of the children sitting in the back is 1000+,” another user wrote.
Many users criticised the adults responsible for the children. “His elders are responsible for this irresponsibility,” said one person. “The child is driving the car, and the only passengers enjoying the ride are also children. What kind of parents allow this,” asked one concerned person.
Others questioned why no one stopped the vehicle before recording the video. “There’s nothing funny about this. The car should have been stopped first instead of making videos,” read one of the comments.
“Can someone please tell us whether these children reached home safely?” another user asked.
Some users responded with humour. “Finally, a child without a phone,” one comment read. “When he enters the classroom, the teacher stands up and greets him,” another user joked.
